Deliveroo driver who bit off customer’s thumb sentenced

Jeniffer Rocha, 35, attacked Steven Jenkinson in Aldershot, when he was unable to provide a pick-up code for the delivery his partner had ordered.

The victim described Rocha launching into a brutal assault and “raining punches” onto his head.

In an act of self-defence, Mr Jenkinson, 36, said that as he raised his hand to push her away, Rocha bit into his thumb.

READ MORE: Deliveroo rider bites off customer's thumb in Aldershot

Jeniffer Rocha outside Winchester Crown Court in March this year in March this year (Image: Solent News and Photo Agency)

Mr Jenkinson suffered extensive injuries to his thumb, requiring an 11-hour skin graft surgery to repair it.

Prosecutors from CPS Wessex set out to prove that Rocha’s actions were 'wholly disproportionate', leading her to pleading guilty to inflicting grievous bodily harm on March 19, ahead of trial.

Rocha, a married mother of two, was sentenced at Salisbury Crown Court on Friday, July 5 to 16 months' imprisonment, suspended for 18 months.

Prosecutor Rebecca Austin told the court at the time of plea hearing that Mr Jenkinson remained ‘permanently disabled’.

“The impact on the victim has been devastating", she said.

“He has been left with a permanent disability and a part of his toe being removed.

“It has had a physical and psychological impact and continues to this day.”

The court heard Mr Jenkinson ordered pizza from Deliveroo to his home near Aldershot on December 14, 2022.

However Rocha arrived at the wrong address and when Mr Jenkinson went to collect his food the pair argued over a delivery code which he was required to show.

Mr Jenkinson said as he raised his hand Rocha bit his thumb.

"All I remember, I was shaking her helmet trying to get her off," he said.

"The force with which she must have been biting, she'd clean taken it off."

He said it was as if he had "gone through a chainsaw."

Mr Jenkinson, a plumber by trade, said, at the time of plea hearing, that he has been unable to work and had to relearn basic tasks like tying shoelaces and doing up buttons.

He said: "Financially, I'm ruined. I'm unemployed. I'm in a massive amount of debt and I don't see the light at the end of the tunnel."

His relationship with the mother of his newborn daughter has also broke down, the BBC reported then.

"I have to live with this for the rest of my life," Mr Jenkinson said.

John Hepworth, a District Crown Prosecutor with CPS Wessex, said: “Mr Jenkinson has suffered from life changing injuries, the impact of which cannot be understated. This attack has permanently altered his life.

SEE ALSO: Chapel Gate murder: Trial date set for Samuel De Wulf

Stephen Jenkinson lost his thumb in the incident (Image: Solent News and Photo Agency)

“Jeniffer Rocha’s assault far exceeded that of any force necessary and her conduct was completely unacceptable.

“This is a serious offence and I hope that today's sentence sends a clear message that the CPS will not tolerate this behaviour.

“I want to thank Mr Jenkinson for his support in the prosecution and wish him all the best in his recovery.”